Fatty Liver
A fatty liver occurs when excess fat accumulates inside the liver cells. This means normal, healthy liver tissue gets replaced with fatty tissue. The fat starts to invade the liver, gradually infiltrating the healthy liver areas, so that less and less healthy liver tissue remains. The fatty liver has a yellow greasy appearance and is often enlarged and swollen with fat. This fatty infiltration slows down the metabolism of body fat stores, which means that the liver burns fat less efficiently, resulting in weight gain and inability to lose weight. However, some people can have a fatty liver even without being overweight.
Ayurvedic Description Of Fatty Liver
According to Ayurveda, the Fatty liver condition comes under the category of Yakrut vikar and occurs when there is an excess accumulation or concentration of the Kapha in the liver. So, the fatty liver is a ‘Kaphavrita pitta’ condition, the accumulation of Kapha happens because of its vitiation by the various causes and because of its heavy, unctuous and slimy properties.
Signs & Symptoms
- Excess weight in the abdominal area
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Body overheating
- Excessive sweating
- Red itchy eyes
- Discomfort over the liver area
- Hyperpigmentation of skin
Causes and Risk Factors
1. Sedentary Lifestyle
Evidences have shown that lack of physical workout, and sitting for longer period of time directly contribute to fatty liver.
2. Diet
Poor dietary habits that include more consumption of saturated fats, and trans fats, eating junk, stale and fast foods are the major causes of fatty liver.
3. Self-medication
Excessive, self and injudicious use of pain-killing medicines induce toxicity in the liver that becomes a reason for fatty liver later.
4. Alcoholism
Alcohol can cause inflammation and damage to the liver cells, resulting in fatty infiltration. The daily consumption of alcohol and more than its prescribed limit directly affects the liver and can even lead to liver cirrhosis in case of chronic alcoholism.
Self Care Tips
- The biggest offenders are sugar and food items made of white flour and must not be used in patients with fatty liver. These also hamper the process of digestion.
- A high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods should be avoided as the liver converts any excess carbohydrates into fat.
- The food items that need to be restricted include bread, pasta, rice, breakfast cereals, cakes, pastry, donuts, biscuits, fries, chips and any food made of white flour.
- Excessive alcohol consumption is the biggest cause of fatty liver, people with fatty liver should limit alcohol consumption if cannot refrain from drinking totally.
- Raw vegetables and fruits are the most powerful liver-healing foods. This help to cleanse and repair the liver filter, so that it can trap and remove more fat and toxins from the bloodstream.
- Protein is important because it helps to keep the blood sugar level stable, helps with weight loss from the abdomen and reduces hunger and cravings. Protein should be consumed with each meal.
- Healthy fats should be included more in the diet. They are found in olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds and raw nuts and seeds.
- Most processed vegetable oils and margarine worsen the condition of fatty liver.
- Deep-fried foods are also bad for those with fatty liver.
- Drink raw vegetable juices, these should be consumed 2 to 3 times a week and a quantity of 250 to 300 mls (8 to 10 ounces) is adequate.
- Citrus fruits are quite healthy for the liver and should form a part of daily diet regularly; they also augment the process of natural detoxification.
The Ayurvedic treatment of Fatty liver has tremendous results with the intensive focus of the treatment lies in removing the doshas, which get accumulated in the liver. The Sodhan chikitisa, i.e. detoxification along with a dietary and healthy lifestyle can treat the fatty liver disorder.
